John Joe Nevin grew up wanting to emulate Rocky Balboa – now he’ll get the chance.

The Rocky movies were famously set in Philadelphia and while Nevin hasn’t yet climbed those museum steps on a training run, he will be based between Philly and his Mullingar home after confirming his switch to the pro ranks yesterday.

So Ireland’s most decorated male boxer, the winner of an Olympic silver medal in London, is leaving the amateur game behind.

And he made the announcement in Dublin yesterday, on the eve of his ex-colleagues’ World Championship medal fights in Kazakhstan.

“To win a world title is a dream of mine since I was watching the Rocky movies at seven years old,” admitted two-time world medallist Nevin.

“You know, looking up to Rocky Balboa, a movie – it’s a bit childish.

“But it’s come on since then, and to see Bernard Dunne win a world title makes me want it even more.”

Nevin has signed with London-based sponsors Berkeley Sports and Media and will be managed by Philadelphia-based management GreenBlood.

The Mullingar fighter is yet to tie in with a promoter but Golden Boy are leading the race.

GreenBlood want whoever gets Nevin to tap into the massive Irish American base which they insist hasn’t been properly done before.

His pro career is expected to start Stateside, but GreenBlood’s Tom Moran – who previously managed former world champs Tom Witherspoon and Kassim Ouma – has promised Nevin will box in Ireland at least once a year.

But Nevin’s ultimate aim is clear – a return to Ireland as featherweight world champion to take on Luke Campbell, his conqueror at the Olympics.

“It’s very much a target,” insisted Nevin.

“If I get to be a world champion there would be nothing better than to bring the golden boy of English boxing, Luke Campbell, back here and show him what I can do over 12 rounds.

“I think there was only one fight ever in Croke Park and Muhammed Ali was involved in it. I want to be the second to do it.

“And it would mean the world to me. What I did in the amateur business, winning all the medals, it was special but the goal was to win that Olympic medal.

“I think I’m ready for it – if I went in against some of the world champions now I could beat them,” he added.